Fund raiser to benefit children's hospital

March 6, 2013

Imagine your child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and your family suddenly has to be uprooted to receive treatment in another city because there are no beds available at the local children's hospital in your hometown. That is the case for many children and families who are trying to cope with a devastating diagnosis. That's why Gary and Heather Nychyk, the new owners of the first Papa Murphy's of Fort Myers will celebrate their grand opening on Thursday, March 14, by hosting a Raining Pizzas event to raise money to help build the new Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers.

"Our young nephew, Randall, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was only 5 years old. Luckily, my nephew and his family were able to receive wonderful treatment, right here in Fort Myers at the local children's hospital. But we realize that's not the case for many families," said Gary Nychyk, owner of the new Papa Murphy's of Fort Myers in a prepared statement. "Many families have to travel to Miami or Tampa to receive their care because there are no beds left at the current children's hospital in Fort Myers, and it makes me want to give back in a big way. That's why we're raising money to help build the new and expanded children's hospital in Fort Myers."

In honor of Randall, the Nychyks will donate 50 percent of their net proceeds at their new Papa Murphy's store, at 4600 Summerlin Rd., from March 14 through March 21, to the hospital's Capital Campaign to help build the new children's hospital. All funds raised will also be matched by the hospital's namesake.

The Nychyks will kick-off the week-long donation drive by Making it RainPizzas! on Thursday, March 14. They're inviting the public to "catch their dinner" as it falls hundreds of feet from the sky from a hot air balloon. The pizza drop will take palce around 6 p.m. at the Sam Fleishman Regional Sports Complex - 1750 Matthew Drive (Deleon) in Fort Myers, baseball field number two.

"My young nephew hasn't won his battle with cancer just yet, but we know he will," said Nychyk. "Randall still receives treatment at the local children's hospital and we want to be able to help provide a new facility for our nephew and other kids like him a facility where they can receive tremendous care and can win their health battles right here in the city they call home."

Fact Box

Catch your dinner as it falls hundreds of feet from the sky! Inside each pizza box will be prizes and free pizza. A lucky few will win free pizza for a year or children's pizza party packages!

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Fast Facts about the Capital Campaign:

*The overall goal is to raise $100 million to build the new children's hospital.

*The campaign began in early 2011. Roughly $60 million has been raised so far.

*The Golisano Children's Hospital of SW Florida provides the highest level of family-centered lifesaving treatment and care 365 days a year to more than 5,000 children and grandchildren annually. Currently, it is the only children's hospital between Tampa and Miami.

*The new children's hospital will have additional beds and space, accommodations for those to stay with their children and grandchildren 24 hours a day during critical times, expand the pediatric emergency room, upgrade the neonatal intensive care unit, and much more.

*Currently, the local children's hospital is located within a hospital. The new Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida will be solely dedicated to children.

*Ground is expected to be broken at the new hospital in Fort Myers this fall.

(Source: the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida):

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About the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida:

Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida is part of Lee Memorial Health System in Lee County, Florida. It is the only acute care children's hospital between Tampa and Miami. The children's hospital opened in 1994 within HealthPark Medical Center. The name was changed to the Golisano Children's Hospital in 2012. Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, the primary fund raising entity for the Golisano Children's Hospital, is currently engaged in a major capital campaign that will enhance pediatric hospital care in Southwest Florida by building a new 296,000 square foot, 128-bed children's hospital on the campus of HealthPark Medical Center. For more info, visit www.ChildrensHospitalGoal.org.

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About Papa Murphy's:

Papa Murphy's is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and a revolutionary of the take 'n' bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy's operates over 1,300 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store. By baking Papa Murphy's pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers other take 'n' bake items such as Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy's was voted " No. 1 Rated Pizza Chain" by participants in Zagat Survey's 2010 & 2011 Fast Food Surveys and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today's Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com or go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.